The most in-depth study to date of the genetic risk factors for long COVID has identified 73 genes that are highly associated with severe or fatigue-dominant forms of the disease. Many of these genes also are known to be associated with other disorders, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and neurodegenerative, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.
The Hubmap consortium has released the atlas of three human organs, a cell-by-cell map based on overlaid images from microscopy and molecular data. Maps of the intestine, the kidney and the placenta, published in three simultaneous articles, have revealed the cellular morphology and architecture of these organs in healthy and diseased conditions.
Since its emergence in late 2019, SARS-CoV-2 has killed nearly 7 million people. But at the same time, many infections, in particular in children and young adults, are asymptomatic with rapid viral clearance from the body. It remains unclear why many individuals are able to successfully clear infection without major complications while others develop severe disease, even without known risk factors for severe COVID-19 outcomes.
Now, a new study involving nearly 30,000 individuals has found that variation in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) loci may underlie processes mediating asymptomatic infection. The findings were reported in the July 19, 2023, online edition of Nature.
Several patents from Bristol Myers Squibb Co. describe relaxin receptor 1 (RXFP1; LGR7) agonists reported to be useful for the treatment of heart failure and fibrosis.
Shanghai Maxinovel Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. has reported the identification of programmed cell death 1 (PD-1; PDCD1; CD279)/PD-1 ligand 1 (PD-L1; CD274) interaction inhibitors reported to be useful for the treatment of cancer.
Mabwell (Shanghai) Bioscience Co. Ltd. has received clearance by China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its clinical trial application for 9MW-2921 for advanced solid tumors.
Hangzhou Qihan Biotech Co. Ltd. has received clinical trial clearance from China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for QN-019a for CD19-positive relapsed/refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Sigma nonopioid intracellular receptor 1 (SIGMAR1) is a protein enriched in motor neurons (MNs), and mutations in its gene have been previously linked to various motor neuron diseases (MNDs). Researchers from Welab Barcelona and affiliated organizations recently presented preclinical data for two novel SIGMAR ligands, EST-79232 and EST-79376, being evaluated as potential candidates for the prevention of MN degeneration.